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BMW X7Model year report

2021 BMW X7 Problems

Compared with other BMW X7 years

Typical for this model

41/100 0.8× a typical year · 50 = typical

Nearby years with fewer complaints than typical and no open NHTSA investigation: 2019

Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated

Complaints
47filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
79,000miles, 5 complaints with mileage
Recalls
9campaigns on record
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—no overall rating published
EPA fuel economy
17 mpgcombined, 4.4L 8-cyl AWD · 15 city / 21 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2021 BMW X7 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 47 consumer complaints for the 2021 BMW X7. The part named most often is engine, with 11 complaints (23% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain (11) and electrical system (8). 5 of the complaints include a mileage, and 40% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 79,000 miles. Of all complaints, 2 a fire, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns and 292 technical service bulletins for this model year. Engine complaints overlap with 9 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Transmission and drivetrain complaints overlap with 5 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Compared with the other 3 BMW X7 model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 41 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (typical for this model). The comparison allows for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints, but not for how many vehicles were sold.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Exterior lighting (2), Lane departure (2), Seat belts (2), Air bags (1), Back-over prevention (rear camera) (1), Engine cooling (1), Body and structure (1), Suspension (1), Wheels (1).

Example complaints

Engine: “While driving my 2021 BMW X7 at approximately 32,000 miles, the vehicle suddenly displayed a drivetrain malfunction warning along with a low engine oil pressure warning. At the same time, I noticed excessive heat and a strong burning smell coming from the vehicle. I also heard abnormal mechanical noises coming from the engine, which sounded like knocking or grinding. The engine failure occurred unexpectedly at relatively low mileage and required extensive repairs, with estimated costs of approximately $15,000. …”

NHTSA complaint #11732539, filed 2026-04

Transmission and drivetrain: “Front differential complete fail. 56k miles. Replaced with new part, not an improved one but the same as factory at BMW dealership. My vehicle is 2021 x7 m50i. Reading other forums this is common if not standard on same models of this year. Very upset to have had to come out of pocket $9k to replace. Just outside of warranty. Was told will likely happen again in 50k miles. I wanted to keep this car like I have my other cars well into 170k miles. Looking to sell. Don’t understand how BMW doesn’t recall this.”

NHTSA complaint #11719575, filed 2026-02

Electrical system: “I was driving a car with family and all of a sudden we all started smelling a burning smell but we thought it must be from outside. However, in just few seconds the vents started throwing vapors so I stopped the car hoping it may stop if some minor damage. However, the hood started throwing oranges color fumes and by the time we all left the vehicle the entire front hood/engine area started burning. There were no indications of any faults in the car. …”

NHTSA complaint #11447812, filed 2022-01

Other or unknown: “My vehicle only have 60k miles my starter is acting up. I’m getting a repeat start message at some start ups. 2017-2020 has a starter recall. I feel like this may be the same recall but not recognized yet”

NHTSA complaint #11752799, filed 2026-07

Mileage when problems were reported

40% of the 5 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 43,000 and 80,000 miles.

0%0–100%10–2540%25–500%50–7560%75–1000%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (5 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 79,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: rising. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

2022202320242025202622
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2021 BMW X7 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
X7 M50i AWD4.4L 8-cyl8-speed automatic152117$4,850
X7 xDrive40i AWD3.0L 6-cyl · hybrid8-speed automatic192421$3,900

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

See all 9 recalls for the 2021 BMW X7 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 292 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 292 bulletins →

Other model years of the BMW X7

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
202672,6572—23—Too new
202529—4—22Too new to compareToo new
20246215,5007—22Too new to compareToo new
2023445,8588—2283 · MoreToo new
20222025,0002—17—Rising
20214779,0009—1741 · TypicalRising
20205643,00012—1758 · TypicalRising
20194850,00011—225 · FewerRising

All BMW X7 model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2021 BMW X7 have?

NHTSA recorded 47 consumer complaints for the 2021 BMW X7 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2021 BMW X7 is reported most often?

Engine is named most often, in 11 complaints (23% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain with 11.

Has the 2021 BMW X7 been recalled?

NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2021 BMW X7 get?

The EPA rates the 2021 BMW X7 (X7 M50i, 4.4L 8-cyl) at 17 mpg combined, 15 city and 21 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,850 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2021 BMW X7 reported?

Among the 5 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 79,000 miles and the middle half falls between 43,000 and 80,000 miles; 40% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.